The Washington Wizards won't have one key player when they take on the Golden State Warriors on Monday night
Golden State (32-35) vs. Washington Wizards (16-50)
When: Monday, March 16, 7:00 PM ET
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington DC
How to watch: Monumental Sports Network, League Pass
The road trip is officially over as Washington Wizards will return to Capital One Arena on Monday night when they host the Golden State Warriors, but they will do so with one key player unavailable again.
The Wizards announced that star center Alex Sarr will miss Monday's game due to right hamstring injury management. Sarr has played in each of the last four games, no more than 23 minutes, where he's flashed as a rising star.
Sarr has posted double figure scoring twice, including 28 points in the 21 point loss against the Miami Heat, while notching at least four rebounds in each. In his second season in the NBA, Sarr is averaging 16.9 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 49.4% from the field.
The 7-footer has also recorded at least one block in each appearance, including five blocks in the loss against the Orlando Magic. Entering Monday, Sarr ranks tied for second in the league with Malachi Smith with two blocks per game, trailing only Victor Wembanyama who is averaging three.
The news does not come as a surprise given the Wizards have remained patient with the medical with several players. Trae Young was ruled out hours ahead of tipoff against the Heat due to right knee injury management, in line with Sarr's diagnosis. Of course, new Wizards forward Anthony Davis remains sidelined with just 16 regular season games remaining and no timeline for a possible return. General manager Will Dawkins has reiterated that Washington will remain patient with Davis' recovery, but they will also look to end the losing streak.
The Wizards enter Monday's meeting on an 11 game losing streak, the second longest streak only behind the Indiana Pacers, who own the league's worst record with 13 straight losses and 15-53 overall.
Whether Washington is able to capitalize against a short handed Warriors squad is the question.
Golden State remains without both Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler with Butler sidelined for the season, though veteran forward Draymond Green is expected to play after not playing in Sunday's loss, a game the Warriors led by as many as 21 points.
The Warriors enter Monday on their own losing streak now with now five straight losses and seven of their last eight, dropping below .500 yet still on the inside looking in at the play-in in the Western Conference playoffs.